Search and rescue crews have been searching for 18-year-old Eloi Jean Rolland, who was last seen on CCTV at Auckland CBD’s Britomart Station on 7 March.
A t-shirt was recovered from bush area in Karekare last week, with Sergeant Callum McNeill saying it is being forensically tested.
“Police are keeping an open mind as to whether it may be linked to the search for Eloi Rolland,” he said.
“Search and rescue personnel have returned to the area to see if there are any other items of interest.”
Eloi Jean Rolland was living with a family on Auckland’s North Shore as part of a student exchange programme. He failed to return to the home in Birkenhead on 6 March.
On 7 March Rolland boarded a train from Britomart at around 6.30am and exited at New Lynn’s Fruitvale Rd station about 7.26am.
Police believe he may have walked from there to Piha on Auckland’s west coast.
Rolland’s family in Montpellier, France, have issued urgent pleas for help to find their son, with them being unable to travel to New Zealand amid the coronavirus pandemic.
They have called for collaboration between the French police and the New Zealand police, and Rolland’s mother has also written to French president Emmanuel Macron.
In a statement issued by New Zealand Police on behalf of Rolland’s family, they said his disappearance is “very out of character”.
They said he was due to fly back to France two weeks after he went missing as he was feeling homesick.
“Eloi is a calm, kind and curious teenager who loves adventures and enjoys being with friends. He loves the sea, surf and catamarans,” read the statement.
“He also enjoys the beauty of the wilderness and recently found a particular interest in hiking.
“Eloi came to New Zealand to study English six months ago and was in regular contact with our family several times a week.
“His disappearance is very out of character and we are extremely worried.
“He has never run away from home and always stayed in contact with his family.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Waitemata Police on 09 839 0697.
